DIEHARD
01-02-10, 08:10 AM
Titans expecting to pull big crowds
MICHAEL Searle calls it the greatest game in the world.
And he believes Gold Coast Titans fans feel the same way with the club posting big attendances last season despite the purse strings for many families being firmly tightened.
As the countdown begins to the start of the 2010 NRL season, the Titans managing director was confident the club can once again pull big attendances after last year averaging 19,178 fans for their home matches at Skilled Park.
"The one thing about sport is it's really recession proof," said Searle.
"It was a really tough year last year and equally people are saying it might be tough this year as well.
"But everyone loves getting to the game and last year we saw great crowd numbers again."
After launching themselves into the top-three at the end of the regular season, the legion of Titans fans doubled and Searle said it was heartening for the club to have so many cheering their success.
But with the growth of rugby league on both sides of the border and with the club poised to build on their 2009 season it was hoped those numbers could expand once more.
"We were very happy to see crowds up around the 20,000 mark and we were pleased with that number," said Searle. "Hopefully we can continue to grow a game that is very strong in Queensland and New South Wales as well."
"I think we can expect growing crowds, the TV numbers are just incredible and they just keep getting better, so combined the game is in a strong position."
With the television ratings peaking, and with the 16 NRL clubs making it clear that they supported the establishment of an Independent Commission to control the game, Searle, a key man behind the planned move, said timing was crucial.
Particularly with a new deal approaching for the broadcasting rights of the game.
"I would hope that the clubs want (the IC) to happen sooner rather than later but by the same token it's important we reach the end goal," he said.
"If we need time to resolve it that's fine but by the start of the season would be a great launch pad for us as a game to have a positive season in 2010."
Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au
MICHAEL Searle calls it the greatest game in the world.
And he believes Gold Coast Titans fans feel the same way with the club posting big attendances last season despite the purse strings for many families being firmly tightened.
As the countdown begins to the start of the 2010 NRL season, the Titans managing director was confident the club can once again pull big attendances after last year averaging 19,178 fans for their home matches at Skilled Park.
"The one thing about sport is it's really recession proof," said Searle.
"It was a really tough year last year and equally people are saying it might be tough this year as well.
"But everyone loves getting to the game and last year we saw great crowd numbers again."
After launching themselves into the top-three at the end of the regular season, the legion of Titans fans doubled and Searle said it was heartening for the club to have so many cheering their success.
But with the growth of rugby league on both sides of the border and with the club poised to build on their 2009 season it was hoped those numbers could expand once more.
"We were very happy to see crowds up around the 20,000 mark and we were pleased with that number," said Searle. "Hopefully we can continue to grow a game that is very strong in Queensland and New South Wales as well."
"I think we can expect growing crowds, the TV numbers are just incredible and they just keep getting better, so combined the game is in a strong position."
With the television ratings peaking, and with the 16 NRL clubs making it clear that they supported the establishment of an Independent Commission to control the game, Searle, a key man behind the planned move, said timing was crucial.
Particularly with a new deal approaching for the broadcasting rights of the game.
"I would hope that the clubs want (the IC) to happen sooner rather than later but by the same token it's important we reach the end goal," he said.
"If we need time to resolve it that's fine but by the start of the season would be a great launch pad for us as a game to have a positive season in 2010."
Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au